CES 2018 Innovation Awards include usual smart-home winners like Nest, Ring and Arlo, but also interesting newbies boasting AI, security, home automation, lighting control and more. Will they make it?

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Slide 8 of 11

WooHoo from SmartBeings does EVERYTHING!

Their Words

Designed in Silicon Valley using the latest technology, WooHoo brings you and your family a whole new experience in the connected lifestyle. Easy to use and affordable, WooHoo turns every home into a smart home. WooHoo speaks the language of your smart devices as well as yours, yes 18 languages.

My Words

The IoT world went gaga over this product at CES 2017. I saw it then, and I see it now, as just another home automation hub that tries to be all things to all people, and in the process becomes a little silly -- ZigBee, Z-Wave, BLE, Lutron Clear Connect radio, 4G LTE slot, Amazon Alexa, HD camera that rotates 360 degrees (why?) with facial recognition, and of course the obligatory "artificial intelligence." SmartBeings calls WooHoo "the world's first AI based interactive and affordable Smart Home Hub and Platform."

Launched on Kickstarter in Dec. 2016, WooHoo raised a modest $54,000. It was scheduled to retail for $89 plus $108/year for the Platform Subscription Service. The included "personal concierge" service provides a "live video assistant" available 24/7 for tech support, emergency (911) services, or if you "simply cannot decide which dress to wear to a party."

Do I want it? Not really? I would be doubtful the start-up could deliver. Also, the touchscreen on the unit is flush against the front, meaning you probably have to pick it up to use it.

Will it make it? Doubtful. It was an interesting novelty at CES 2017 in January, but now there are umpteen similar products with native Alexa, most notably the Amazon Echo Show, which does not demand a monthly fee. By the way, it has an angled screen so you can view it and use it from a countertop location. At this point, there does not seem to be a way to buy or preorder a product.

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